On a recent episode of the Son Rise Morning Show, we discussed online charitable giving. By some estimates, 30% of all charitable giving happens during the holiday season, and Google just announced that they’re working to make online giving more simple.

Starting this week, when you search for a growing list of US-based nonprofits, you’ll see a new “Donate” option that you can use to donate. On either PC or mobile searches, you’ll see an obvious blue button.

While I haven’t discovered any Catholic nonprofits who have access to the button yet, they can qualify by visiting Google.com/Nonprofits. Non-profits need to apply through Google’s non-profit portal. I searched for both CRS and Catholic Charities USA and neither have it yet, but I expect them to be the first.

We celebrated Giving Tuesday this week, and online giving now seems to be trendy in social media. Facebook is encouraging this with programs such as donating your birthdays. The Giving Tuesday website tracked over $177,000,000 in 98 countries by 1,640,000 individual gifts!

At its Forum for Good on Wednesday, Facebook announced new developments in its social good initiatives, including dropping fees for donations to non-profits. Facebook is eliminating its 5% fee on donations so 100% of money sent through its Donate buttons go to the desired non-profit. Previously it took 5% to pay for credit card processing and verifying the 750,000 charities on its platform, but it will now absorb those costs. However, personal fundraisers (for yourself, not a non-profit) can still incur fees from 6.9% to 8.8%.

Does all of this discussion of online giving run the risk of causing “giving fatigue”? Some have questioned if these developments are part of PR initiatives to combat “fake news” issues and other negative developments; personally, I think any emphasis on giving and making it easier to give is a good thing, but we may have the sense that we’ve given if we just “like” something.

What’s the best way to ensure that generosity and stewardship are part of your faith life all year long?

Set up recurring donations directly parishes, Catholic charities, and so on

Prayerfully discern your stewardship

Budget and set up recurring donations – many charities prefer either direct donations or that you opt to pay for credit card processing fees

Do this proactively but also pray about when an impromptu donation is in order

As for the question of credit card processing fees, Annie indicated that most small charities would be rather appreciative if you pay for the credit card processing, but a lot of the bigger ones get so many donations that it’s a negligible expense for them. Some sites give you the option of adding whatever the percentage is to cover the charge.

Immediately after my screening of Coco on the Disney lot a few weeks ago, I informally “interviewed” two members of its target demographic: children. I had noticed them come into the theater with their mom, a journalist who was also there for the screener. He, approximately seven, sported a Coco hoodie and held a box of Coco figurines. She, his elder by a few years, was adorned with a flower crown and held an oversized Dante the Dog plush. I kept an eye on them during the film and was happy to chat with them on the way to my car.

During our walk and talk, we compared notes and agreed that we’d all loved the film. He told me he’d found certain parts “scary, but not too scary“. She called lead character Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) a “cutie” and admitted that she’d cried, “but in a good way“. Their mom, herself a reviewer, was equally as charmed by what promises to be Disney/Pixar’s next blockbuster. We all agreed that we couldn’t wait to see Coco again. I believe the reaction we had will be echoed by audiences around the country this weekend.

Synopsis:

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Why See It?

For me, there are a few major reasons to love Coco.

First and foremost is this film’s obvious emphasis on the importance of family. Miguel is blessed to be part of a strong multi-generational family headed by the indomitable Mamá Imelda, boisterously voiced by Alanna Ubach. Mamá Imelda not only leads the family shoe business with gusto. She also keeps the family close, caring in a special way for Miguel’s beloved great-grandmother Mamá Coco (voiced in a precious performance by Ana Ofelia Murguía). Mamá Coco is confined to a wheelchair and has a slipping memory, but her family treats her with a dignity, respect and love.

Actor Anthony Gonzalez plays Miguel in Coco

In fact, this respect for elders is one of the primary takeaways of Coco. Without going into too much detail on the plotline, I’ll share that Miguel finds himself transported to the “Land of the Dead”, an afterlife environment where people go and stay after death. Each year, on Día de Muertos, the ancestors in the film–remembered by their living loved ones with offerings on family altars and gatherings in cemeteries, visit the ones their families and friends. The stakes are high in the film: being forgotten is akin to being wiped away forever. And as Miguel soon discovers, Mamá Coco’s fading memory spells trouble for one of his departed ancestors, Hector (voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal). Miguel and Hector strike a bargain and race to beat the clock.

As noted in my feature interview yesterday on Día de los Muertos, Catholic viewers will want to be prepared to discuss with their children our teachings on life, death, heaven and life everlasting (see the Catechism here). As I remember from my own childhood viewings of The Ten Commandments, movies sometimes have a way of becoming dogma in young minds. What I’ll say about Coco is that it provides us a beautiful reminder to cherish our living elderly relatives and to pray fervently for the souls of our departed loved ones.

Another fascinating plotline in Coco relates to Miguel’s search to discover his true identity. He has been raised in a home which banished any discussion of music. As family lore goes, Miguel’s great, great grandfather (Coco’s father)–whose name is never spoken in that family–deserted his wife and child for a life as a famous musician. He left one night to play a show and never returned, leaving his widowed wife to find her way, cobbling shoes to pay for food. Flash forward by many years, and we find Miguel living in a powerful shoe empire where any mention of music is strictly forbidden. Miguel, who secretly harbors a love for music and gift for singing and playing guitar, develops the idea in his head that his unknown ancestor must actually be his village’s most famous deceased citizen: the world famous musician and actor Ernesto de la Cruz (performed by Benjamin Bratt). Miguel harbors a secret collection of old VHS movies starring de la Cruz and a dream to follow in his footsteps.

Mamá Imelda is played by Alanna Ubach

Miguel longs for the permission to play his music, but also for the connection to a part of himself that’s been kept from him by not knowing his ancestor’s true story. As a part of my screening of this film, I received access to the Ancestry service and DNA testing. Seeing Coco inspired me in a major way to delve into my own family tree. I’ve spent the past few weeks passionately peeking into the lives of the men and women who went before me, many of whom I’ve never “known”. Watching Coco will most definitely make you want to dive into your heritage. Be prepared after the film to sit and talk with your children about the stories that fill your family’s history. Expect to find in your heart the desire to dig more deeply.

For me, one other major blessing of Coco was the reminder that God places gifts within each of us. For Miguel, that gift is music. In fact, it is Miguel’s music that unlocks hidden memories for Mamá Coco at the climax of the story. For you and I, God’s gift may be something different, but it’s no less significant. Coco reminds me to help my children not only discover but also nurture these God-given talents and to use them for good. As one whose son is currently pursuing a music career and advanced studies in music, I was thrilled to be reminded that our world needs music, the arts, literature and other forms of beauty to make this life complete. While at the interview junket for Coco, I was even treated to a guitar lesson by Guitar Center. I doubt I’ll be rivaling Ernesto de la Cruz anytime soon, but it was wonderful to explore a new hobby and to thank God once again for the gift of my son’s music.

And speaking of music, it’s impossible to write about Coco without mentioning its phenomenal soundtrack with music by Michael Giacchino, Germaine Franco and lyrics by Adrian Molina. As with any great Disney feature, music and the vibrant colorful world created in the animation leave a lasting impression on our hearts. Prepare to be transported to Mexico and to love every moment of your journey.

What to Watch Out For

Since this is a film for young viewers, I feel it important to point out a few “warnings”. Rated PG for thematic elements, Coco earned an AII classification from Catholic News Service (for adults and adolescents) for its inclusion of non-scriptural religious ideas. This undoubtedly relates to the film’s development of the Land of the Dead and its culture of what happens in the afterlife. In terms of violent content, along with skeletons and some slapstick violence, there is a scene in the film when one character is forgotten, turns to dust and blows away. This relatively quiet moment was actually one of the most emotional for me. Young viewers may have questions and need comforting, especially if they have experienced the loss of a loved one.

Why Go?

I will most definitely be seeing Coco again in theaters with my son when he is home for Christmas break. For me, the primary reasons to see Coco are its reminder of the importance of family, its emphasis on following our dreams, and its beautiful depiction of a culture that is all too often maligned and discounted. Seeing Coco has made me not only want to travel to Mexico but also to connect more deeply with Mexican American friends living in my community to learn more about our shared history and to discover more about their cultural pearls.

If you see Coco, I’d love to hear from you about what moved and encouraged you. Enjoy!

For more information:

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/11/23/coco-reminder-cherish-family-nurture-gifts/feed/0Many Lessons from The Man Who Invented Christmashttp://catholicmom.com/2017/11/21/many-lessons-man-invented-christmas/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/11/21/many-lessons-man-invented-christmas/#respondTue, 21 Nov 2017 22:00:20 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=135458Lisa Hendey reviews the new Christmas movie "The Man Who Invented Christmas," a look at the inspiration for Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol.]]>

While the title of this film may include “Christmas”, in my mind The Man Who Invented Christmas is the perfect movie to watch for Thanksgiving in anticipation of Advent and Christmas. Opening nationwide in theaters this week and inspired by a book by Les Standiford, this charming biopic reminds us to count our blessings and to listen to the voices in our heads.

Synopsis:

The Man Who Invented Christmas tells of the magical journey that led to the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer), Tiny Tim and other classic characters from A Christmas Carol. Directed by Bharat Nalluri (MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY), the film shows how Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) mixed real-life inspirations with his vivid imagination to conjure up unforgettable characters and a timeless tale, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration we know today.

Hearing Voices

While director Bharat Nalluri invites us to look at a story which is quintessentially “Christmassy”, I’d hate to limit the potential of this film to a holiday feature. Perhaps because I’m a writer of fiction myself, I fell in love with Dan Stevens’ frenetic turn as the crafter of perhaps the greatest Christmas story ever told. Early in the film, we watch as Dickens is lauded by Americans following his massive commercial success. But upon Charles’ return to his beloved homeland, we learn that he’s had three flops and is on the ropes, overburdened by debt and seemingly faced with a crisis of confidence. Add in a mooching dad (Jonathan Pryce), a wife (Morfydd Clark) who is pregnant with his fifth child, and a publishing company that seems convinced that their author’s day has come and gone and you can see why Dickens is absolutely paralyzed and can’t write a single word.

While I would never compare myself to the masterful Dickens, there are a few elements of this movie that made me realize that some of my crazy-author-on-a-deadline behaviors are perhaps universal.

Dickens can’t help but listen to a “frenemy” read him negative reviews

Dickens is overwhelmed completely by terrifying writer’s block

Dickens has known the fleeting joy of success and the enduring sting of failure

Dickens carries a tiny journal, collecting names for future reference

Dickens, suddenly inspired by an overheard story, has an idea that becomes in an instant mandate

Dickens begins to almost live inside his story, even to the point of hearing his characters’ voices and having conversations with them.

Now look at the list above, replace the word Dickens with “Lisa Hendey” and perhaps you’ll see why I loved this film so much.

I’ve often told children who attend my “Virtual Author Visits” that my Chime Travelers series—penned in my sons’ old tree house–was written with equal parts methodical research and wild imagination. During my writing sessions, I would climb up into the treehouse, say a prayer for inspiration, and then sit in my rocking chair (sometimes for hours) daydreaming about my characters and scenes. Then, having seen my mental versions of them live out the action, I would take to the keyboard and type as fast as I could, anxious not to miss a scrap of the detail that had played out so lavishly in my mind.

They became real to me, as real as family, and their voices and actions would often wake me in the middle of the night. I took to keeping a journal next to my bed to capture their dialogue. Much of that middle of the night dreamed up banter made its way into my books. So watching The Man Who Invented Christmas with my husband was a true blessing for me. I could finally explain to Greg that my odd behavior when I’m working on something–especially during the early inception phases of an idea–is not pathological.

Not Just for Christmas

It’s hard not to call this film a “Christmas movie.” Certainly, its release is well-timed to make this a fun family outing for the Advent season. But there are a few reasons that it stands on its own as a great story for any time of the year.

While it’s not encyclopedic, the film certainly invites us to consider the genius that was Charles Dickens and shows us some of the conditions under which he rose to fame. Especially poignant are his interactions with his family, our gradual understanding of his upbringing, his marvelous sense of humor and character, and how the economic conditions of his age impacted him personally and professionally.

Also of note is the opportunity to watch Christopher Plummer absolutely shine as Ebenezer Scrooge. Plummer’s turn at this role that’s been played by everyone from James Earl Jones to Susan Lucci to Michael Caine is for me the best I’ve seen. Plummer has the depth to show us not only Scrooge’s conversion of heart but also the roots of the miser’s woundedness with a believability that outpaced any former Scrooges in my book. This is also the film that will help me see Dan Stevens as someone besides my beloved Matthew from Downtown Abbey. Stevens’ Dickens is almost wild and possessed in his urgency and mission.

Add in rich costuming by Leonie Prendergast, inspired set design by Julie Ochipinti, and great music by Mychael Danna and you have a sensory delight that takes you straight to December 1843.

And speaking of mission, we can’t overlook the ultimate dual morals of A Christmas Carol: man’s universal potential for conversion of heart and our societal duty to care for those most in need. As we anticipate our celebration of the Thanksgiving feast and gather around our tables nationwide to appreciate our blessings, this is the perfect time to anticipate what and how we will give of ourselves this holiday season.

The Man Who Invented Christmas offers a perfect springboard for discussing this with our families. Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild language, this film contains a few “scary” scenes that may frighten young viewers, but very little else to concern parents. And while this film has virtually no mention of the religious celebration of Christmas, it most definitely reminds us of the spirit with which we should be giving our gifts–material, but especially emotional and spiritual–all year long.

Timothy Reckart is an American animator and director based in Los Angeles, specializing in puppet stop motion. He is best known for his 2012 film Head Over Heels, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2013. Image copyright Lisa M. Hendey

How do you take the greatest story ever told and stay true to it, even when one of the main characters never says a single word in the source material?

This was the question I was anxious to tackle with Academy Award-nominated animator Timothy Reckart when I met him last week. Reckart, who serves as Director of Sony Pictures Animation’s The Star (catch my review here), is a practicing Catholic whose faith most definitely inspired his work on this film.

Some folks may look at The Star and wonder how you can take a story as reverenced as the Nativity and adapt it to entertain and inspire modern audiences. In my mind, Reckart and his colleagues succeeded in their mission to stay true to this time-honored account of the Annunciation and Christ’s birth. But they also succeeded in winning the hearts of young viewers and their grown-ups while respecting the ultimate source, the Bible.

When I was working on my book The Strangers at the Manger, I grappled many times with my desire to help my readers fall more deeply in love with the Nativity. One particular challenge for me was getting Saint Joseph “right”. I approached that challenge by immersing myself in the gospels, reading works on the life of Saint Joseph from trusted sources, and spending many, many hours in lectio divina style prayer. I immersed myself in the early pages of the gospels according to Matthew and Luke, playing those “scenes” out in my mind and asking myself what I would see, smell, taste, hear and feel if I could have been a fellow traveler alongside Mary and Joseph. I traveled that dusty road to Bethlehem many times, imagining myself young, pregnant and afraid. I pondered Joseph’s plight too, marveling all the while at his capacity to trust, to obey and to serve so humbly.

I think this is why I’ve fallen so quickly in love with The Star. What Timothy Reckart and the gifted team under his direction have given us is not the Bible, chapter and verse. Rather, this film is an invitation to know those verses more deeply in our hearts, and hopefully, as a result, to fall ever more deeply in love with the Christ Child. Hopefully, fueled by that love, we can trust, obey and serve as Mary and Joseph did.

I have to respect not only the art and music and voice performances that make The Star so special, but also the fact that upon viewing it I immediately wanted to pick up my Bible and read that story I’ve read so many times before. If our Advent season can begin with a family viewing of this film and then a period of preparing our hearts to receive Baby Jesus with the same sense of mission Bo the Donkey felt, I believe we will have a more fruitful Advent and a more beautiful celebration of the true meaning of Christmas.

Lisa Hendey joins bloggers for an interview with The Star director Timothy Reckart.

Question: Congratulations, the film is incredible and what a gift to our families so I want to thank you for that! I’m really curious about adapting this particular story. I noticed how true you stay to the biblical narrative. How did you fill in some of the blanks, for example with Joseph, who doesn’t say a word in scripture?

Reckart: Right, there are not really paragraphs of character description (in the Bible), so we had to figure out who are these characters going to be? Especially because when we write the lines, that’s literally putting words into Mary and Joseph’s mouths. We had to make sure that we felt that we knew who they were to the point where we could create new material that would feel faithful even though there is nothing there in the Bible for us to adapt. There were specific clues that we kind of jumped off of, so with Joseph, the idea was that if he was a carpenter, we were thinking that maybe in this day and age, he would be like a mechanical engineer… so maybe he’s the guy who has a really organized mind and he’s always planning and putting things together and in order. We have his tools completely organized by size. The interesting thing is that then he’s got a journey to go on, because he starts thinking, “Ok, I’m going to plan the perfect trip to Bethlehem. My wife is pregnant, and I’m going to make this go as smoothly as possible.”

And then when they get there, there’s no room at the inn, they are having a baby inside of a barn and everything’s falling apart. I think that gives him (Joseph) an arc where he has to let go and trust that God is going to take care of things, even if he can’t take care of them himself. It’s kind of an interesting way to show that even someone who is very close to God has room to grow.

With Mary, it was kind of the opposite tack. It’s also more interesting in a film (and perhaps more true to life) when you have a married couple that’s kind of opposite—opposite and complimentary—but very different from each other. And so if that’s Joseph, who is always planning ahead, maybe Mary is the one who’s more open to improvisation. She trusts! She just automatically trusts that everything’s to be fine. God’s got the whole world in his hands. Whatever happens, God is willing it. And she (Mary) takes a lot of comfort in that. And to me, the jumping off point for that is just that at the Annunciation, when she talks with the angel, she’s not asking, “Well, how’s this going to work?” She just says, “Yes!” to the angel. And so trying to extrapolate an entire personality based on that attitude, that actually even gives Mary a place to grow and learn because she maybe at first doesn’t necessarily know that the journey ends with the cross. I think there is a moment in the movie where she has an intuition that this may not all be fun or fine. There, she also says, “Just because God has a plan, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy”. That’s kind of her area of growth.

The goal was to create characters on the clues we have in the Bible that also gives each character an opportunity to have an arc.

For more information:

Catholic Curriculum from National Conference for Catechetical Leadership – This six-part curriculum explores key elements from the first Christmas and everyday life, including:prayer, friendship, divine providence, vocation, the Christmas story and Las Posadas. Watch special movie clips from THE STAR as you learn how the characters helped each other and followed God’s destiny for their lives. Each lesson is packed with prayer, activities, Scripture, faith-sharing questions and times of reflection.

Copyright 2017 Lisa M. Hendey

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/11/17/star-director-timothy-reckart-character-development/feed/0THE STAR Shines as a New Christmas Classic for Familieshttp://catholicmom.com/2017/11/16/star-shines-new-christmas-classic-families/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/11/16/star-shines-new-christmas-classic-families/#commentsThu, 16 Nov 2017 21:00:45 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=135182Lisa Hendey shares her review of THE STAR, a new movie for families from Sony Animation.]]>

For many of us of a certain age, our family Christmas season officially began with the showing of A Charlie Brown Christmas or Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. In those pre-on-demand days, my family would use the TV Guide to plan ahead and mark our calendars. This year’s release of The Star, opening tomorrow in theaters nationwide, marks the addition of a new “Christmas classic” for families that’s sure to delight and inspire.

The premise of The Star is genius! We are treated to a biblically-inspired retelling of the nativity story from the perspective of the animals who were present alongside Mary and Joseph at the birth of baby Jesus. As one who loves a good story and who also wrote a creative book on Christmas, I watched The Star with an eye towards reverence for the “original”.

Not only was I not disappointed or concerned, but I was truly delighted. Director Timothy Reckart and screenwriter Carlos Kotkin have crafted a thoughtful, inspiring narrative while giving agency and voice to those animal figures you and I lovingly place in our nativity scenes each year. Present here are the donkey, the sheep, the dove, the camels, the cow and the horse who look upon the manger in my family’s nativity each Advent, awaiting with eager anticipation the coming of the Christ Child. In The Star, these animals, voiced by an array of talent, come to life and invite us into the gospel story with joy, courage, perseverance and an unmistakable sense of mission.

Certainly, any Christmas story must “star” Mary and Joseph. The Star is illuminated by spirited performances by Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi, who never play second fiddle to their animal counterparts. Rodriguez’ Mary translates Our Lady’s fiat with reverence and sincerity, but also with a verve which pays proper tribute to the audacity of Mary’s yes. Zachary Levi’s Joseph must build upon his voiceless biblical presence. Levi succeeds in giving us a Joseph who is the perfect helpmate to Mary, trying to control an untenable situation and finally giving himself over fully to God’s grace and care.

Lisa Hendey @LisaHendey says @TheStarMovie shines brightly as a new Christmas classic for families…Click To Tweet

But the true fun and genius of The Star are the various animals who recount for us the “rest of the story” of Jesus’ coming. Bo the donkey, voiced perfectly by Steven Yeun, dreams of escaping his humdrum job grain-mill job and one day joining the famous royal caravan. His counterpart, the often sassy Dave the dove (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key) is Bo’s partner in a daring decision to break loose and follow their dreams. A hilarious turn of events lands Bo in Mary’s care and ultimately at Mary and Joseph’s side for that oft-told journey to Bethlehem.

Along the way, we meet the wise men–but more notably their camels–who are voiced by three of the veritable who’s who cast. Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry and Tracy Morgan’s involvement as said camels points to a cast who were all anxious to be a part of a faithful but also fun reminder of why we celebrate this holy season. In my interviews with cast and crew (to be highlighted here tomorrow), I was moved by the desire each actor professed in being true to the mission of this film, to tell the story of the first Christmas for new generations to come.

Concerned parents may want to know if it’s ok to take young viewers to a film that takes such an innovative approach to such precious source material. In my mind, only you can answer that question. For myself, I absolutely can’t wait to take my loved ones to see The Star. There are most definitely a few very gentle “potty talk” moments I could have done without, but I know my nephews well enough to know that they will roar at those lines and that they are far outside the realm of ever disrespecting the story of Jesus. Additionally, parents of very young children will want to know about the involvement of Thaddeus and Rufus (Ving Rhames and Gabriel Iglesias), two of Herod’s (Christopher Plummer’s) evil dogs who are on the hunt for the messiah foretold by the Magi. There are a few action-packed chase scenes and scary moments involving the dogs that may frighten little ones. It is these moments that earn the film its PG rating. In their review, Catholic News Service classifies The Star as A1 – general patronage.

For more information:

Catholic Curriculum from National Conference for Catechetical Leadership – This six-part curriculum explores key elements from the first Christmas and everyday life, including: prayer, friendship, divine providence, vocation, the Christmas story and Las Posadas. Watch special movie clips from THE STAR as you learn how the characters helped each other and followed God’s destiny for their lives. Each lesson is packed with prayer, activities, Scripture, faith-sharing questions and times of reflection.

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/11/16/star-shines-new-christmas-classic-families/feed/1Tech Talk: How Social Media Can Support the Joyful Pursuit of Vocationshttp://catholicmom.com/2017/11/13/tech-talk-social-media-can-support-joyful-pursuit-vocations/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/11/13/tech-talk-social-media-can-support-joyful-pursuit-vocations/#respondMon, 13 Nov 2017 15:00:03 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=134659During National Vocations Awareness Week, Lisa Hendey discusses ways priests and religious are using social media to evangelize.]]>

On a recent episode of the Son Rise Morning Show, we discussed Vocations Awareness Week and how Catholic social media can be a part of sharing the joy of living out our vocations.

Vocations Awareness Week is an effort of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. Learn more at the USCCB’s National Vocation Awareness Week page.

Bishop Tobin of the Diocese of Providence, RI recently spoke about the impact that joyfully living out vocations can have on others. We discussed some ways Catholic social media can be a part of sharing that joy. There are many bishops, priests, religious and deacons who are actively and joyfully using social-media tools to share their lives and their faith. When I asked my followers on Twitter to share some of their favorites, we got an overwhelming response; check out all their suggestions.

Consider how those of us in the pew can support vocations with social media this week and into the future!

Social media, #vocationsawarenessweek and evangelizing: #techtalk with @LisaHendey, @SRmorningClick To Tweet

Our conversation covered digital fitness tools, motivation for getting fit, and the long-term lessons I learned after completing the Notre Dame Trail last summer, covering over 300 miles on foot and by bicycle. Walking has a spiritual aspect as well as a physical one. Get out and take a walk today!

Walking, fitness, and mini-cupcakes: #techtalk with @LisaHendey, @SRmorningClick To Tweet

On Wings of Eagles is a classic “rest of the story” drama which carries us beyond missionary Eric Liddell‘s turn on the 1924 Paris Olympics gold medal podium and into the tragedies war-torn China. As a Chariots of Fire groupie and one who included Liddell’s legacy in a book, I was anxious to see how directors Stephen Shin and Michael Parker would capture the spirit of missionary zeal that was so lovingly crafted in my first on-screen encounter with Liddell. I’m happy to share that I was not disappointed.

But be forewarned. Unlike the chapter which came before it as created by Hugh Hudson and enacted by Ian Charleson, Liddell’s story’s ending here is far more challenging. And getting to that ending is painful as well, as Joseph Fiennes does not hold back in portraying the physical and emotional pain Liddell had to face after his athletic victories were behind him.

Rated PG-13 for some violent images, On Wings of Eagles opens in a relatively happy chapter of Liddell’s life. We witness Eric falling in love with his wife Florence (Elizabeth Arends) and serving as a missionary teacher in China. As his love for those he teaches and his affinity for their language points out, Liddell feels absolutely at home in the land of his birth. He is beloved, and he loves lavishly in return. We soon meet Xu Niu (Shawn Dou) who evolves from his role as Liddell’s driver and caretaker to the man who ultimately risks everything to protect Liddell. Through Xu Niu’s retrospective narration, we experience the passage of time that takes us from a united Liddell family to the increasing danger attendant to the war in China.

Ultimately, in one of many poignant moments contained within this film, Liddell says goodbye to his beloved wife and daughters (one of them still unborn). Eric’s hope to reunite with them in safety before the birth of his third child sadly never happens. Instead, Liddell remains devoted to his missionary community and is eventually imprisoned alongside them. His spirit is repeatedly lifted by a love letter from his family that becomes a talisman and also a symbol for viewers of the challenging choice he made, yet never seems to regret.

It is the moments inside the Weihsien Internment Camp, ironically called “The Courtyard of the Happy Way”, that bring us the most painful yet poignant lessons taught by Liddell in On Wings of Eagles. Gone here are the sweet sermons and that memorable soundtrack from Chariots of Fire. In their place are morals taught with deeds instead of words and a haunting score by Scott Greer that figured largely in my enjoyment of the movie. While we miss Eric’s verbal prayers, we witness in their stead a sacrificial love that fully permeates this story as it builds to its conclusion.

This is a quiet film, but one well worth seeing for its reminder that each of us, in our own way, are called to rise up and do what we know to be right. Some storytelling tactics have likely changed historical details here. Sensitive viewers may be disturbed by torture scenes and a graphic death in the film.

But for its fine acting, this movie look at a moment in history we hope will be left behind forever but that we can’t afford to forget. A portrayal of one man’s all-too-quick “race” through life, On Wings of Eagles is “the rest of the story” at its best.

Copyright 2017 Lisa M. Hendey

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/11/04/wings-eagles-rest-eric-liddells-story/feed/0I'll Push You Moves Ushttp://catholicmom.com/2017/11/03/ill-push-moves-us/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/11/03/ill-push-moves-us/#respondFri, 03 Nov 2017 15:30:44 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=134449Lisa Hendey reviews the new documentary I'll Push You, which takes us on a totally new journey along the Camino.]]>

On my personal bucket list is to take a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. So it’s perhaps not surprising that I jump at any opportunity to screen a film which will carry me–even if only virtually–along the ancient Way of St. James. My favorite takes on this spiritual journey have included The Way and the beautiful A Way to Forgiveness by Erin Dooley. And now I have a new favorite to add to my list: I’ll Push You.

If the title of this 100-minute documentary gave me a hint at where it was going in a preliminary sense, by the end of my journey along the Camino with lifelong best friends Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray my perspective had been flipped completely on end. The blueprint for the film is not complex: Justin, confined to a wheelchair and fighting the ravages of a progressive neuromuscular disease, learns about the Camino and expresses an interest in making the trip. Patrick, ever at his side, volunteers to make the trip possible when he simply volunteers, “I’ll push you.”

What follows in the film is our opportunity to virtually make “The Way” alongside Patrick and Justin. If the thought of covering five hundred plus miles in five and a half weeks along mountainous off-road terrain sends fear through you, imagine doing it in a wheelchair! What makes I’ll Push You all the more touching is that along the way, we meet and fall in love with not only Justin and Patrick but also with their families, who have been so deeply impacted by Justin’s diagnosis. Cameos by multiple pilgrims add to the joy and the overall mission of the film.

Image copyright I’ll Push You, used with permission

Without giving away too much of the journey, it becomes clear early on that for all of their physical and logistical preparations, Justin and Patrick may have bitten off more than they can chew. Even with a very strong friend alongside to help–literally–with the heavy lifting, the temptation to give up looms large. In a way, I as a viewer was urging this for the duo. “It’s ok, guys,” I found myself saying. “It’s too hard. There are too many obstacles. You tried… it’s ok if you just choose to go home.”

There is a pinnacle theme that runs through I’ll Push You that I needed to hear, and it’s the very reason that Justin and Patrick do not back away from the Camino. Justin’s path of having to physically and emotionally surrender to the aid of those around him is so compelling. From Justin, I was reminded of the potent grace of allowing others to help me, especially when I am at my most vulnerable. I speak on this topic regularly, reminding women that part of The Grace of Yes is to allow ourselves to be helped by others. How easy it is to say, and how hard to actually do!

Justin submits to allowing Patrick to care for him in ways that are not only physically daunting but also personally intimate (such as bathing him, clothing him, feeding him and putting him to bed as one might a beloved child). One might be tempted to see this film as a simple “Patrick helps Justin” movie. In the end, I actually felt that it was Patrick who was even more “pushed” by the journey. Obviously, the physical exertion of the Camino looms large here: muddy, uphill paths; dark nights and long mileage to the next way station; and even the seemingly total lack of accessible accommodations for the disabled. But those logistical obstacles are simply a backdrop for the real work being done in Patrick’s heart and soul.

You may want to watch I’ll Push You twice, as I did, with the intention of seeing the action from the vantage point of both Justin and Patrick exclusively on each viewing journey. There are lessons to be learned from each of these two courageous men that bear deep consideration.

For more information:

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/11/03/ill-push-moves-us/feed/0Tech Talk: Offline Octoberhttp://catholicmom.com/2017/10/30/tech-talk-offline-october/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/30/tech-talk-offline-october/#respondMon, 30 Oct 2017 15:30:49 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=134033Lisa Hendey shares the highlights of her conversation about Offline October and ways families can connect screen-free, on the Son Rise Morning Show.]]>

On a recent episode of the Son Rise Morning Show, we discussed ways families can disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other.

The latest results from Common Sense Media’s survey are in: American kids’ daily mobile screen time is almost 10 times higher than it was in 2011.

While October is almost over, there is still time for families and individuals to participate in a movement called Offline October.

Stop posting stories, start living them.

The latest results from Common Sense Media’s survey are in: American kids’ daily mobile screen time is almost 10x higher than it was in 2011.

Offline October is a challenge for people to give up social media for the month of October to support teen suicide prevention.

With this initiative being started in Littleton CO, what did Archbishop Aquila of Denver have to say about the impact of social media on bullying and particularly on teen suicide? (Read more at DenverCatholic.org.)

With 3 very recent teen suicides in the span of a week in Littleton, Bishop Aquila shared that Suicide by teens in Colorado is tragically on the rise.

Bullying and digital self harm: One theme seen running through the stories of teens who struggle with suicidal thoughts is the pervasive influence of social media on their identity and sense of self-worth

Quoted WCD 2014 – “It is not enough to be passersby on the digital highways, simply ‘connected;’ connections need to grow into true encounters. We cannot live apart, closed in on ourselves. We need to love and to be loved. We need tenderness.”

The most important thing that we can do for those who are consumed with their online existence is to persistently, lovingly show them that they are a son or daughter of God the Father, and that this is what matters most.

One parish that takes this seriously is St. Angela Merici in Texas. During their teen retreats, they have a “put away the phones” policy to introduce to teens that they CAN put a phone away and live F2F (face to face) with people. The parish does this at Confirmation retreat also, talking about self-discipline and moderation. Parish leaders note that anything that encourages teens to INTERACT face to face while trying to decrease cyber-bullying and reduce teen suicide is good!

What are some simple things that families can do to embrace the spirit of Offline October going forward?

It’s been well over a month since I screened The Florida Project and three weeks since I shared my interviews with the cast here. And yet unless you are part of the small world who pays attention to Oscar buzz, it’s unlikely that this film is on your radar. Now playing in select theaters nationwide, this gut-busting, heart-wrenching romp is the one movie of 2017 that I can’t get out of my mind.

I feel it important up front to state that while one of the blockbuster portrayals here comes from a child and the story is told adjacent to Disneyworld, this is strictly adult fodder. Readers may even wonder why I’d bother to share with you an R-rated movie (for language throughout, disturbing behavior, sexual references and some drug material). My main motivation is the conversations raised by The Florida Project. Those things about this film that make it most challenging to recommend are also the main argument for mature viewers to see it and to talk about it.

What Director Sean Baker has created here is a colorful (literally) look at a reality that is lived around our nation daily by those living “on the peripheries”. Pope Francis addressed them–these “periphery” dwellers–in 2015 when he shared, “The Word of Christ is intended to reach out to everyone, in particular those who live in the peripheries of existence, so that they might find in Him the center of their life and the source of hope.”

But how can we reach them with a message of hope if we don’t know them, if they are hidden to us?

Enter here the story of The Florida Project, which in its best moments takes us to those raw edges through the eyes of a child and her playmates, romping their way around a budget motel. For Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her pals, “The Magic Castle” isn’t just a place they’ll stay at for a week while trekking around “the happiest place on earth”. Rather, this oversized, probably bedbug-ridden cut-rate inn is “home”. Through Moonee, we eventually meet single mom Halley (Bria Vinaite) and discover why this pair is essentially a breath away from homelessness. Halley may be the responsible adult in Moonee’s life, but it’s easy to sense that her irresponsible parenting and terrible life choices are likely a result of a broken childhood all her own. Along for the ride is the motel’s compassionate manager Bobby (Willem Dafoe) who is probably the closest thing that Halley and Moonee have to a father-figure. Their neighbors are colorful families with their own issues who somehow manage to care for one another with greater solidarity than what I’ve personally experienced in some of my own suburban neighborhoods.

Our perception of the narrative in The Florida Project is largely delivered by Moonee as she and her friends engage in a series of “who would let their kid do that?” moments. Who would let their kid spit off a balcony onto cars? Who would let their kid wander unsupervised into deserted apartment construction? Who would let their kid panhandle to earn ice cream money? Yet in these and so many other moments in The Florida Project, Moonee’s infectious joy decries the tragedy she’s living. Eventually, we learn that those “who would let their kid” questions point to a mom who herself is really still just a child, fragile, alone and on the edge. But as poor Halley is at responsibly supervising Moonee, never once do we doubt this mother’s authentic love. She will do literally whatever it takes for her daughter.

The true tragedy of The Florida Project is its real-life factor.

Sean Baker set this film in a real motel where real families live real obstacles every day. The film has partnered with Rethink Homelessness to raise awareness of the “hidden homeless” who aren’t technically living on the street, but who lack even the most basic regular housing. A recent article spelling out this problem in the Washington Post stated that the film succeeds because “It may be the most joyful movie about poverty ever screened.” I’d concur.

Several times during The Florida Project I laughed myself silly. Brooklynn Price may be pint-sized, but her Moonee is a force of nature! I also truly loved the relationship between Moonee and Halley. Bria Vinaite, a rookie actor discovered via her Instagram feed, may be a newcomer to Hollywood, but I predict she’s just getting started. And I’m happy to have overcome my fear of Willem Dafoe’s previously creepy characters here. His Bobby, a man who has tragedies of his own, cares, and he does all he can in his own way.

Yet it’s Bobby who is also probably the reason I can’t seem to get The Florida Project out of my mind. In watching this film I realize that you and I are called to be “Bobby”. We may have a million reasons for not getting involved in fixing the world’s problems. We’re broken ourselves. We’re overwhelmed and underfunded. We have our own “issues”.

But if we don’t care, then who will?

The Florida Project doesn’t tie itself up in a neat little bow at its quirky ending. Getting there, unless you have a heart of stone, you will cry. As the credits roll, you may say, “Huh?” And then you will want to talk to whoever you saw the film with immediately and try to figure out what you just experienced. You’ll be puzzled by its complexities. You’ll be challenged by the issues it raises.

And you won’t be able to forget it.

Copyright 2017 Lisa M. Hendey

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/26/florida-project-complex-unforgettable/feed/0Daily Gospel Reflection for October 26, 2017http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/26/daily-gospel-reflection-2/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/26/daily-gospel-reflection-2/#respondThu, 26 Oct 2017 08:30:21 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=133870Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.]]>

I must admit that the opening line of today’s gospel caused me a “flashback” of a recent experience that is still very fresh in my heart. Jesus’ words to His disciples, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” took me to the week I recently spent in Santa Rosa, California amidst the deadly fires raging in that region. The reason for my visit was a happy one. Over a year ago, my son and his fiancee chose a lovely little church in the heart of wine country for their wedding. Little did we know that the church would be one of the few edifices in that region that would remain untouched by mandatory evacuation orders. As we rebooked first the rehearsal dinner, then our guests’ hotels and then the reception (within 36 hours of the ceremony), I drove through the heart of Santa Rosa on Highway 101. With guests flying in from around the globe, we were scrambling to ensure the safety of our friends and family while still helping the bride and groom to celebrate the sacrament they had so long anticipated.

I’m sorry if today’s reflection runs a bit longer than usual, but Jesus’ words in this gospel led me into my first opportunity to revisit that week in writing. To be honest, those words, “I have come to set the world on fire,” hit a bit too close for comfort right now. That week, I saw firsthand the carcasses of burned out buildings. I shared my accommodations with evacuees who had fled the flames with nothing but the clothes on their back. I chatted with and prayed for brave firefighters who had come from afar to battle the blazes. This is a gospel which – on its surface – points us to destruction, devastation, and division. Were I to read only this small portion of Luke’s gospel in isolation, I might be tempted to run the opposite direction from Christ’s teachings.

But in truth, we are given this gospel passage in the context of the fullness of not only what Jesus said and did, but also with the entirety of the teachings of the Church. Does Jesus want me to be divided inseparably against my family or friends who are not Christians? I think not. Jesus did come to us and set us “afire” – consumed with a love that is destined to forever change the landscape around us. I understand that those very teachings Jesus gave us years ago are the ones which often separate us from those we love most, those who may not believe as we do.

But I also believe our challenge, as Catholic Christians, is to never give up or give in to the easy path, the one more traveled. Instead, just as Jesus called his disciples to a radical, fiery love that would at times divide them from “what everyone else is doing”, you and I are called to be set aside, divided from what is comfortable and easy.

On the sleepless night before my son’s wedding, I pondered to myself what I would do if I were suddenly evacuated. What, or more importantly who, would I grab if the flames approached? The answers came easily: my “stuff” could be burned away, but my loved ones would be rescued.

In the end, I have to believe that when He sets us afire, Jesus calls us to choose the path to truth. For myself, in the end I’m going to try to grab as many of my loved ones as I can along the way. And here lies the challenge between “division” within a household, and love. Do we divide ourselves apart and leave those we love to be consumed by wrong, by what the world teaches is true?

Or do we embolden ourselves to brave the fire and to rescue those who are the most lost, the most “unsaved”, the most at risk?

Today, I’m praying for the grace and courage to answer Christ’s call. Especially when the stakes are highest.

Christ calls us to be set aside and divided, but to love as He loved. by @lisahendeyClick To Tweet

Ponder:

How are the relationships in your life divided by issues of faith? How can you brave the challenges you will meet to share with others the truth as Christ taught it?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, You challenge me to live a radical love amid a world that sometimes feels very lost. Help me to choose You always, but also to love those who do not yet know You, with patience and courage.

Copyright 2017 Lisa M. Hendey

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]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/26/daily-gospel-reflection-2/feed/0Same Kind of Different As Mehttp://catholicmom.com/2017/10/21/same-kind-of-different-as-me/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/21/same-kind-of-different-as-me/#respondSat, 21 Oct 2017 17:00:36 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=133678Lisa Hendey reviews Same Kind of Different As Me, opening in theaters nationwide this weekend.]]>

Because real life can often be so topsy-turvy, I love movies that find their basis in the messiness and insanity and pain and joy of true stories. Such is the case for Same Kind of Different As Me, opening nationwide this weekend. Based on the New York Times bestseller by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, the film has taken some critical heat but promises to be popular with audiences who are looking for films that inspire, uplift and urge goodness.

Ron Hall (Greg Kinnear) is a wealthy international art dealer married to Deborah Hall (Renée Zellweger). We learn early on that while Ron may have all the trappings of a happy life, his marriage is on the rocks. When Deborah discovers that he has been unfaithful in their marriage, she decides to extend mercy. Ron, committed to doing what it takes to win back her trust, finds himself involved in one of Deborah’s pet projects. When he serves at a community shelter for the first time, Ron encounters Denver (Djimon Hounsou), an angry and erratic homeless man with a troubled past that seems ready to boil over in violence.

Following the path of a growing friendship between Denver and Ron, we witness much of the brokenness and pain that has led the two men to their present states. It’s tempting in a film such as this one to focus on Denver’s plight of modern-day slavery, incarceration, and social isolation living on the streets. But in Ron’s character, we also discover the relational pains and abandonment that have led him to a place of intolerance and judgmentalism. As the woman who forges a bond between these two unlikely companions, Deborah–who must face her own battle–urges them, and us, toward mercy and love. Deborah reminds us that money isn’t always the answer to this world’s most frustrating problems. Instead, companionship and true presence are key.

Some will think this film is too “sweet” in its message delivery. I differ. The epic combination of Kinnear and Zellweger is counterbalanced by the powerful querulousness of Hounsou. Flashbacks into Denver’s young life as an enslaved cotton-picker are juxtaposed with Ron’s ongoing battles with his alcoholic father (Jon Voight). I found myself coming to the conclusion that the “saving” being done in these two men’s relationship is truly mutual.

The odd words of the title Same Kind of Different as Me are delivered by Denver in a poignant moment at the end of the film that I don’t want to spoil. But I’ll ask you to watch for them and to remember afterward how you feel as you hear them. As one living in Los Angeles where I daily encounter unhoused persons, those words have been ringing in my ears. Too often, we look at those living on the streets and assume that they are too frightening to approach or too far gone to help. What can we possibly do to stem the tide of addiction, mental illness and societal brokenness that has left our cities with such tragedy? Is there anything one person can do to help, or is the whole situation hopeless?

Review of @SameKindMovie by @LisaHendey points to #MakeADifference tipsClick To Tweet

One great thing about this film is that it’s accompanied by the “Make A Difference” campaign. On the film’s website, there are campaign resources including a list of simple “acts of kindness” that we can undertake to serve those in need. If you’re like me, you’ll find it impossible not to proactively reach out after seeing this film, so a great place to start along with the movie’s website is at the national website of Catholic Charities USA, where you can easily join the mission of serving those most in need in your community.

Same Kind of Difference is the most effective kind of love story–one that reminds us of Christ’s ongoing commission to us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. See it this weekend, and emerge ready to see your own common bonds with those around you with new eyes.

Copyright 2017 Lisa M. Hendey

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/21/same-kind-of-different-as-me/feed/0Tech Talk: Lisa Hendey on the Child Dignity in the Digital World Summithttp://catholicmom.com/2017/10/09/tech-talk-lisa-hendey-child-dignity-digital-world-summit/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/09/tech-talk-lisa-hendey-child-dignity-digital-world-summit/#respondMon, 09 Oct 2017 20:00:11 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=132844Lisa Hendey shares a conversation on the Son Rise Morning Show about last week's World Congress on Child Dignity in the Digital World.]]>

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/09/tech-talk-lisa-hendey-child-dignity-digital-world-summit/feed/0Prepare to Be Challenged by #TheFloridaProjecthttp://catholicmom.com/2017/10/04/prepare-challenged-thefloridaproject/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/10/04/prepare-challenged-thefloridaproject/#commentsWed, 04 Oct 2017 20:00:57 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=132677Come along with Lisa Hendey to a junket for The Florida Project and meet Director Sean Baker and stars Brooklynn Prince (Moonee) and Bria Vinaite (Halley).]]>

I was recently invited to review and attend a press junket for the new film The Florida Project. This stirring movie opens October 6th in Los Angeles and New York. When it hits theaters nationwide in a few weeks, I will be sharing a full review.

For today, I wanted to tell you about the experience of interacting with a few very talented members of the team behind what I’m calling one of my favorite films of 2017.

Synopsis:

Halley and her 6-year-old daughter Moonee live in a motel that’s managed by Bobby, a man whose stern exterior hides a deep reservoir of kindness and compassion. Despite her harsh surroundings, the precocious and ebullient Moonee has no trouble making each day a celebration of life. Her endless afternoons overflow with mischief and grand adventure, while her mother soon finds herself exploring increasingly dangerous options as a way to keep them both alive.

My Endorsement:

One kid’s no-limits playground becomes her loving mom’s prison of despair. Along the way, we fall in love with Moonee, Halley and their broken yet compassionate caretaker Bobby. Expect to laugh, to cry, to cringe and to walk out changed. Magical!

Trailer:

Meeting the Team:

When I screened this film, I sat in the theater next to my friend, “Media Nun” and Daughter of St. Paul Sister Nancy Usselmann. As the credits rolled, I sat stunned with questions whirling through my brain. I turned to Sister Nancy, anxious to get her reaction and we had an awesome post-film conversation. Fortunately, I also had the chance last week to ask some of my big questions when I interviewed Director Sean Baker and stars Brooklynn Prince (Moonee) and Bria Vinaite (Halley).

First and foremost, let me say that the irony of conducting these interviews at a beautiful hotel in Beverly Hills was not lost on me. That will make more sense to you when you see the film. But suffice it to say that at its core, this is a film that is supposed to rattle us, to make us feel uncomfortable with the status quo.

Meet the @Lilfilm and team behind @FloridaProject #TheFloridaProject #RethinkHomelessnessClick To Tweet

So into that beautiful backdrop of LA luxury walk two actors who while working together for the first time have an onscreen chemistry that supercharges this movie. In meeting them off-camera, it’s interesting to see how Brooklynn Prince (Moonee) and Bria Vinaite (Halley) mentor and care for one another, and why what we see in the film works so well.

Theirs is a story of contrasts. While Brooklynn’s career has spanned half her (albeit short) life, Bria was only recently discovered by Director Sean Baker on Instagram. She debuts with Willem Dafoe (Bobby) in her very first film. Bria and Brooklynn walk in and greet the waiting room of journalists. It is Brooklynn who takes the lead immediately. She may be pint-sized, but she is seasoned. Plus she’s witty, incredibly intelligent, and off-the-hook talented. Her responses to our questions highlight the fact that as one of the focal points of this film, Moonee’s is the one perspective you should never forget or lose track of. I also completely loved that Brooklynn recounted to me that her favorite scene was the one where she got to spit on cars. When you see the film, remember that!

Bria Vinaite may not be as talkative as Brooklynn, but when she speaks there is both a force and a sweetness to what she shares. Of working opposite Oscar-nominee Dafoe, Vinaite is magnanimous in her appreciation of his mentoring and on-set support. Of her relationship with Brooklynn, her on-screen daughter, she is compassionate, supportive, and most of all totally bonded to her costar. I immediately have a deep sense of the “spiritual motherhood” we often speak of between women. Both actors understand the importance of what they have created together. At moments, it’s clear that as in any mature mother-daughter relationship, Bria and Brooklynn take turns leading and following. This may be the first time we see Bria on screen, but it definitely won’t be the last.

Sean Baker, Director and Writer of The Florida Project

After our chat with the actors, it’s time for us to meet Director Sean Baker. Best known for his work on Tangerine (shot entirely on iPhone), Sean shares in equal parts about the art of this film and its mission: to bring greater awareness to the issue of homelessness and struggling families in Florida. These families may live adjacent to “the happiest place on earth”, but they teeter daily on the brink of destruction and despair. What Sean has created with The Florida Project is not easy to watch, but needs to be seen.

During our conversation, Sean shares his long-held desire to make his own modern version of Our Gang (also well known as the “Little Rascals”). My mind flits to childhood memories of that series, remembering the giggles and gags. After some time, I realize that with The Florida Project, Sean has emulated Hal Roach’s groundbreaking work by inviting viewers to see the children at its heart as our guides for the true lessons to be learned in this movie.

In my mind, what Sean Baker has created works well on every level. When we watch this film, we laugh, we cry and–unless we totally disassociate ourselve with what we see–we are changed. Mooney and her fellow “rascals” become our guides into a completely different perspective on what “magic kingdom” can mean.

This film is R for language throughout, disturbing behavior, sexual references and some drug material. I will share my full review soon, but urge you to put this on your personal “must see” list for October.

While I’ve watched more than my fair share of Law & Order reruns, it never occurred to me to think of the annulment process in dramatic terms. That changed with my recent screening of The Tribunal. The film was released this summer on a variety of streaming formats, including Amazon, iTunes and YouTube.

You probably shouldn’t go into your viewing of this film expecting to find a documentary on the annulment process. It is rather the imaginative story of three souls, locked together in twisted relationships and complimentary faith journeys. Today, I’m happy to share my recent interview with filmmaker Mike Mergler, the writer and Executive Producer of “The Tribunal” and the founder of St. Michael Movies.

Synopsis

The stakes are much higher than life or death in The Tribunal, a courtroom drama set in a Catholic Marriage Tribunal. On the surface, it appears that the struggle between Tony and Joe, two best friends who both love Emily, hinges on Joe obtaining an annulment of his first marriage, so Emily, a devout Catholic, can marry him. Only Tony can testify to the truth and make the annulment a reality for Joe, but Tony still loves Emily, his ex-girlfriend. In reality, the struggle is for the souls of all three. Tony has been trying to come back to God because he wants Emily, and his heart tells him he has to be the best man he can be for her. Joe doesn’t run as spiritually or emotionally deep as Tony, but he loves Emily, too, and he wants to do the right thing. Both Tony and Joe have to decide if they will make the sacrifice necessary to love Emily. She, in turn, must decide whether she truly loves Joeor Tony. As they each fight for whom they love, the Tribunal slowly answers the ever-present question hanging over the proceedings, “What does God want?” Why it matters to these three is the reason it matters to every person. Our souls will not rest until they rest in the arms of the Lord.

Movie Trailer:

Interview:

Q: Thank you for taking the time to share with my readers about your recent release The Tribunal. Please briefly introduce yourself and tell us a bit about St. Michael Movies.

I’m Mike Mergler, the writer and Executive Producer of “The Tribunal.” St. Michael Movies is a Christian production company that adheres to the teachings of the Catholic Faith. Our parent, St. Michael Records, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Catholic charity, produced musical CD’s and novels, which eventually morphed into moviemaking, to have a greater impact on people. We are part of the “New Evangelization” that John Paul II spoke of.

Q: What inspired The Tribunal and what motivated you to tell this story, in this way, at this time?

There are more people than ever who are alienated from the Church and whose souls are in jeopardy because of their marital situation. Long before Pope Francis made annulments a front-burner issue, I was trying to encourage people I knew to return to our faith through the tribunal process. There are people I dearly love who are in grave danger.

Q: What kind of research and production work went into making this film as accurate to the annulment process and to the other faith aspects as possible? Please briefly discuss the note you include on this process at the end of the credits.

I just responded to a priest who hadn’t seen the movie but who took me to task because he’d heard it was inaccurate. But I spent 3 years researching the project to try and make it as canonically correct as possible in how the decision is determined. People seem to assume that it’s some kind of documentary, but it’s no more a documentary about the annulment process than “A Few Good Men” is about courts-martial. Most annulments happen in a maze of affidavits, but several dioceses actually have open court where people face each other as part of the healing process. We based the film on those dioceses with open court and then took dramatic license to tell a love story about self-sacrifice. The note at the end of the credits tells people this is not how a normal tribunal process works in most dioceses and encourages them to speak with someone in their parish or diocese about their particular situation.

Q: While this is a film about relationships, at its heart it is truly a film about our relationship with Christ. How would you hope that viewers of any relationship status will be inspired to see it as a springboard to more deeply consider their own faith journey?

The actions of the main characters challenge us to love others as Jesus loves us. It shows us what Jesus calls us to be. It translates well into real action that anyone can relate to, regardless of their relationship status.

Q: How did making this film impact you personally? Can you share any stories from the set about others who were inspired or impacted?

12 years ago I was working on a script about traveling on the road with comedian Red Skelton (I used to be a concert promoter) when the characters in a scene I was writing hijacked the story and took off into “The Tribunal.” The characters are alive in my head and have a mind of their own. I just follow them and write down what they say. I guess you might say that the impact on me personally is that writing and making a movie gives me a legitimacy that makes it less likely they will throw me into an asylum.

As for those who helped make the movie, we never asked anyone about their faith life or required anyone to pass a litmus test. We figured if the Holy Spirit called them to work on the film, we were good with that. We ended up hearing numerous stories about members of the cast and crew who experienced a spiritual event during filming that pushed them closer to God. And one of our lead actors, Laura Mock, said this was “the story of her life” and it confirmed she was doing the right thing.

We always planned a discussion guide to accompany the film so prayer groups and Bible Study groups would have something to follow. The movie is meant to produce discussion about love, chastity, self-sacrifice and obedience to God, and the study guide helps keep the viewer focused on the questions posed in the film.

Q: The end of the film seems to hint at a story that is as yet untold. Will we see more from these characters?

“The Tribunal” is actually the first of 3 movies, a “Tribunal Trilogy” as it were. The second film is called “Promises to Keep” and has different characters than the first film, but the third film is entitled “Return To The Tribunal” with the cast from the first film reprising their roles in an unexpected way. Then everyone will know the whole story. The glue that holds the trilogy together is the need for an annulment for someone in each film, but it impacts the story differently in each case.

Q: What is the biggest message you hope people take away from The Tribunal?

Come Home. If you knew how much God wants you back you would burst into tears.

The Catholic News Service classification for The Tribunal is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Copyright 2017 Lisa M. Hendey

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/09/29/tribunal-catholic-courtroom-drama/feed/2Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet on their New Book: The Friendship Project Book Club Kickoffhttp://catholicmom.com/2017/09/23/michele-faehnle-emily-jaminet-new-book-friendship-project-book-club-kickoff/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/09/23/michele-faehnle-emily-jaminet-new-book-friendship-project-book-club-kickoff/#commentsSat, 23 Sep 2017 15:30:09 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=131180This week Lisa Hendey interviews authors Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet about their new book, The Friendship Project.]]>

At a few different points in my life, I have been tempted to call myself “friendless.” In reality, owing to the fact that I have two wonderful sisters and a mom I speak with daily, I am never at a loss for female companionship. But since each of these three “besties” lives far away, they are not available for those immediate “Can you have coffee? NOW?!” moments that seem to arise in a woman’s life. Within the past eighteen months, my husband and I have moved twice and I’m still diligently at work on cultivating new friends. Fifty-four years of living has taught me that finding trusted female companionship doesn’t just happen.

So let me fill you in on a little secret (since we’re all friends, right?). I have known about our newest CatholicMom.com Book Club selection, The Friendship Project by Michele and Emily, for many months. The project was approved by our wonderful publisher, Ave Maria Press, around the time of my family’s move to Los Angeles. I’ve watched my sisters in Christ work diligently on this, their gift to us, as I’ve settled into a new community and a new spiritual “home.” So many times, I’ve thought about the teachings in this book, anticipated its arrival, and daydreamed about discussing it with all of you (and maybe–if I’m brave enough–with a group of women in my new parish).

If you’re gifted enough to already have a circle of friends surrounding you, this book will help you to celebrate one another as your break it open together. If, like me, you’ve struggled with feelings of loneliness or isolation, let this book be a pathway to knowing that you are uniquely gifted as a daughter of our Creator and that God longs for you to know the grace of true friendship. I love that we will be breaking open the book together, as a CatholicMom.com community. At the heart of our friendship here, in this virtual little corner of the world, is a common desire to seek out virtue, to live it well in our homes, and to share it with the world around us.

I hope that you enjoy my interview here with Emily and Michele and that you’ll set aside some time in the coming weeks to enjoy the gifts of The Friendship Project with us!

Q: First and foremost, congratulations on the success of your first book Divine Mercy for Moms and thank you for your beautiful ministry to so many around the world! Please begin with a brief introduction of yourself and your families for readers who may not already know you.

Michele: I am a wife and mother of four, ages thirteen to three. I work full time as a school nurse, but my greatest passion is evangelization. I am the co-director of the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference, an author and speaker.

Emily: I am a wife and mother of seven, ages 18 years to 18 months. I’ve been involved with women’s ministry for over 10 years with my radio apostolate, A Mother’s Moment, and I am also part of the leadership team for the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference. I enjoy sharing the message of the Gospel as an author and speaker.

Q: How did the work you began in Divine Mercy for Moms organically lead to this beautiful new project? How does this book extend your audience from moms to any woman at any stage in life? Why was this extension important to you?

Michele: As we travel around the country speaking about our first book, Divine Mercy for Moms, women often approach us and share that their favorite part of the book is when we talk about our friendship. Emily and I have been blessed to know each other for over 20 years, since college. I met my husband at Emily’s wedding and we have worked in women’s ministry together over the past 15 years. Many women shared with us that they too desired to have a close friendship in faith, so we knew that this was a topic women wanted to read more about.

We wrote this book for women of all ages because friendship is essential to life and happiness for everyone. We hope The Friendship Project sparks both new relationships and deepening of women’s existing friendships. With both of us working in women’s ministry for over 10 years, we knew it was important to broaden our ministry and writing to include all women.

Q: This book is more than simply a “feel good” tome on the timely topic of friendship. You’ve managed to take a timeless look at this age-old conflict in women’s lives by framing your thoughts around the virtues. Why this approach? What does this framework end up looking like in the book and why are you convinced that the cardinal and theological virtues can help?

Emily: In The Friendship Project, we explore the cardinal and theological virtues with an eye toward friendship. Focusing on faith, hope, love, prudence, gratitude, loyalty, generosity, and prayerfulness, we share how each of these virtues is related to authentic Christian friendship. We also include touching stories of real friendships we have encountered in our lives that illustrate the virtue and how God can use friendships to deepen our Catholic faith. Each chapter features a “saint pair”: two saints who were friends while they were here on earth such as St. Felicity and Perpetua, St. Therese of Lisieux and her sister Servant of God Leonie Martin and the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Elizabeth. At the end of each chapter we provide some practical advice and strategies on how to grow in these virtues and implement them in your relationships.

Q: Say a few words to the woman out there who feels desperately lonely right now … can a book be a part of her path to healing? How?

Michele: God created us to be with others. We hope that The Friendship Project can help you connect with other women and develop new relationships. We offer very practical suggestions for deepening and developing friendships in each chapter to help you move forward in this area. We also hope you can join a group and do the read book together with other women as part of our book study. There are even online groups, like here at Catholicmom.com and St. Teresa’s Online Book Group on Facebook, that you can join and meet other women virtually.

Q: We’re all so busy these days working, caring for family and trying to pass along the faith to our children. Why is prioritizing holy friendships something that should earn time on our “to do” lists?

Emily: As we researched friendship, we were overjoyed to see the amount of writing that the saints have done on the topic of friendship and its importance. Friendship isn’t optional, but necessary! St. Augustine writes “In this world two things are essential: life and friendship. Both should be highly prized and we must not undervalue them. Life and friendship are nature’s gifts.” We also began to read about many saints who had other saint friends while here on earth. It was really eye opening to see that many of the great saints had close friendships on earth, and because of their mutual desire to serve God, they were able to help each other grow in holiness.

Q: You’ve gone above and beyond to make this book one that will help create new holy friendships by creating so many great resources to help groups use this book. What tools are out there, and why is this important?

Michele: We really believe small groups are a wonderful way to build faith-filled friendships. We’ve worked very hard to provide a group based study based on over 10 years of participating in women’s studies together. The study questions are provided in the back of the book for group discussion, designed to help the participant process and implement many of the concepts presented throughout the book. Each session also includes a “Going Deeper Into Scripture” section, which allows you to ponder a scripture verse from each chapter and meditate over God’s word together.

Our website, thefriendshipprojectbook.com, is full of free resources. We created a printable version of the study guide in a journal form with lines to write your answers and reflections down, and it is available absolutely free on our website. Our website also provides a short professionally produced videos for each chapter, available for free. Each video includes all-new, complementary teachings not included in the book, a chance to get to know us, the authors, and meet our friends we’ve written about in the book through unique interviews. At the end of each session, we invite your group to offer their prayer intentions and pray together the original prayers included at the end of each session. These prayers are written to help us grow in each virtue and to see these virtues implemented in our friendships.

We know that these groups are so important that we’re offering an entire packet of “bonus materials” such as ice breaker ideas, a meeting planner, recipes for your small group meeting and even an opportunity for a Skype visit with us. Best yet, our publisher is offering an amazing deal for group orders of 10 or more – 40% off! That means your group can do the study for less than $10.00 per person! We feel so strongly about helping you develop these friendships, we want you to be able to lead a group without an extra financial burden. You’ll find information on bulk discounts at the bottom of the Group Study page on our website.

Q: In an age where “friend” is now a verb on social media, how can technology impact positively and negatively on true friendship? What steps do each of us need to take in this realm to guard and bless our hearts?

Emily: I think Fr. Larry Richards says it best in the foreward to The Friendship Project:

“Though friendship is so important, it has become a rare priority in our world today. Internet and social media give the false promise of intimacy and friendship, but, in fact, only separate us and isolate people all the more. Instead of having real conversations with others, we text them or message them or comment briefly on their pictures on Facebook. Friendship is so much more than “friending” someone on Facebook! Friendship demands time and work, and we need to break through all the artificial stuff and dedicate ourselves to being good friends and having good friends. That is what this book will help you to do.”

Q: How did you select the saintly friendships you profile in the book? How can we readers cultivate our own intercessory friendships with saints to help us draw closer in friendship to Jesus Christ?

Michele: First, we prayed. We asked God to show us which of these beautiful examples of heroic virtue he wanted us to highlight. Next we did a lot research and found saints who had close female friendships with other saints while they were alive on earth. Many of their stories really touched our hearts personally. For me, the story of St. Perpetua and St. Felicity was one that I have been drawn to for years. As we wrote, we also realized we happened to include all four female doctors of the Church: St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Theresa of Avila, St. Hildegard of Bingen and St. Catherine of Siena. We were amazed to see that some of the greatest saints had these beautiful friendships that helped them personally draw closer to God and to become a woman of virtue. By looking to these saints and allowing them to inspire us and intercede before the throne of God on our behalf, we can be drawn closer to Christ.

Q: What are your hopes for our experience of reading The Friendship Project in community here at CatholicMom.com?

Emily: Our favorite part about writing The Friendship Project was we both became more deliberate and intentional about spending time with our friends. We started the simple idea of Friendship Friday, and spend part of that day with one friend we desire to grow our relationship with or with whom we have lost our connection. Over the past year we have developed and deepened so many friendships with beautiful women and its brought such joy to our lives. We hope that by reading The Friendship Project, new friendships will be formed, old friendships will be deepened and all of our friendships will lead us toward Christ.

Q: Are there any additional thoughts or comments you’d like to share with our readers?

Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) today announced a cybersecurity incident potentially impacting approximately 143 million U.S. consumers. Criminals exploited a U.S. website application vulnerability to gain access to certain files. Based on the company’s investigation, the unauthorized access occurred from mid-May through July 2017. Read more at the Equifax website

As one who has been the victim of identity theft in the past, this news took me into a fresh cycle of concern for our family’s finances. It’s been ten years since my incident, but I still remember the many painful and expensive hours spent untangling the mess that was made in my name.

I am not intending to offer you technical or financial advice today, but I do want to urge anyone reading this to please pay attention to this story and come up with a personal action plan. You may think that this is just another story that will come and go, but the truth is that you need to be concerned not only for your own personal credit and cyber safety but also for those of your children and elderly relatives who are also at risk.

As frustrating as these cyber theft incidents are, they also offer us a reminder to take responsibility to be good stewards of our financial gifts. Please join me today in praying for all of those whose personal and professional financial resources were impacted in this incident. Let’s additionally pray for the many around the world who lack even a living wage to support themselves and their families.

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/09/22/tech-talk-equifax-breach-now/feed/0MULLY Movie: How is God Calling Me to Serve?http://catholicmom.com/2017/09/18/mully-movie-god-calling-serve/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/09/18/mully-movie-god-calling-serve/#commentsMon, 18 Sep 2017 17:00:41 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=131594Lisa Hendey encourages readers to see the upcoming documentary MULLY and to be inspired by Charles Mully and the "world's largest family".]]>

MULLY is the kind of movie that immediately makes you ask yourself, “How is God calling me to venture out of my comfort zone to be a part of changing our world?” Opening in select theaters around the country October 3-5, this Fathom Event is designed to create forever families for the 100,000 kids here in the USA who are in need of them and to open people’s hearts to serving orphans around the globe.

SYNOPSIS:

What happens when a six-year-old boy in Kenya is abandoned by his family and left to raise himself on the streets? MULLY is no ordinary rags-to-riches tale. It’s the true story of Charles Mully, whose unlikely stratospheric rise to wealth and power leaves him questioning his own existence, searching for meaning in life. Against the better judgment of family and community, MULLY sets out to enrich the fate of orphaned children across Kenya. Jeopardizing his own life and the security of his family, Charles Mully risks everything and sets in motion a series of events that is nothing short of astonishing.

This beautifully produced documentary shares the gripping story of one man’s rise from Kenyan street orphan to successful business mogul to one who is willing to give all his material wealth away to help the poorest of the poor.

Image credit: MULLY Movie, used with permission

Learn about @MullyMovie from @LisaHendey and support #theworldslargestfamilyClick To Tweet

We meet Charles Mully through the eyes of own wife and biological children, who had to overcome their own fears and hesitancies to understand their father’s quest. We meet him through the eyes of his beloved street children, for whom the Mullys became a true family. We meet Mully through his visionary approach to solving critical societal crises. And we meet Charles through his faith, poured into concrete action and a conviction that every child is a child of God, deserving of dignity, life, education, and love.

“I have walked through slums outside Nairobi, Kenya and have seen the children abandoned to life on the streets and in the dumps. Charles Mully lived this and rose out of it to become a successful businessman. At the height of his success his heart was moved by the plight of children who where still in the slums. He and his wife made a home for them. Mully, the new documentary, tells the story of this incredible man who observed the world around him and listened to his own heart where God spoke to him. He followed the stirrings of his heart. This attention inward and outward has made a new world and new possibilities for over 10,000 abandoned children. The movie inspires us to pay attention to the needs of people in the world and listen for the ways God might call us to respond. I hope the movie does well. Mully is a film that says to people, the world can be changed by people who look, listen and love.”

I’m very excited to learn more about Mully Children’s Family and to learn more about supporting the work they are doing in Kenya. To find MULLY at a theater near you and purchase advance tickets for this event, visit MullyMovie.com.

Copyright 2017 Lisa M. Hendey

Image credits: Mully Movie, used with permission

]]>http://catholicmom.com/2017/09/18/mully-movie-god-calling-serve/feed/1Annabelle: Creation -- Origin Story is Scary, Smart and Not for Kidshttp://catholicmom.com/2017/08/10/annabelle-creation-origin-story-scary-smart-not-kids/
http://catholicmom.com/2017/08/10/annabelle-creation-origin-story-scary-smart-not-kids/#respondThu, 10 Aug 2017 18:30:22 +0000http://catholicmom.com/?p=129600Lisa Hendey shares her review of ANNABELLE: CREATION, opening nationwide in theaters on Thursday, August 11.]]>

Image copyright Warner Bros. Used with permission.

Yesterday, I shared with you my experience of being invited to pre-screen and conduct interviews for the horror film ANNABELLE: CREATION, which opens nationwide tomorrow, August 11. Today, I’d like to dwell a bit on why I truly enjoyed this film, and why it still has me thinking about this story and its characters.

Synopsis:

Several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a dollmaker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, soon becoming the target of the dollmaker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.

Trailer:

My Take:

For a variety of reasons, I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this latest installment in The Conjuring film series. I am not normally a fan of this genre. So as I explained yesterday, I put some definite thought and discernment into whether or not to see this film. In the end, I am glad I did. The experience has provided some great fodder for personal introspection and conversation in our home.

Let’s talk first about the elephant in the room and let me say up front that this is NOT a film for kids. It earns its R rating for horror, violence, and terror. While I have yet to see a review from Catholic News Service, my guess is that CNS reviewers would call this an L (Limited adult audience). For this reason, I was shocked and appalled by the number of parents who brought young children into the screening I attended. The film is scary both in terms of its use of “jump scare” tactics and even more so in its premise that the devil has taken over not only a home, but also bodies of people in that home. This is not for kids. And even if you’re a grown up, I’d advise that if you have any spooky looking dolls around your house, you put those squarely out of eyeshot before you leave for the theater so you don’t have to confront them when you come home in the dark.

This warning aside, let me tell you a few of the reasons I enjoyed this film. Again, I’ve not seen the original ANNABELLE, but it was easy for me to immediate relate to the love of parents Esther and Samuel Mullins (compellingly portrayed by Miranda Otto and Anthony LaPaglia) for their only daughter Bee (adorable in early flashbacks and played quite creepily in her post-dead-but-definitely-not-at-rest state by Samara Lee). We bond quickly with this family, then tangibly feel their grief when Bee is killed in a terrible car accident. This particular scene points to something surprising that I noticed about this film.

At several points in the film when things could have been far more visibly grisly, we viewers think we witness the worst. But the directorial choices of David F. Sandberg normally don’t go for the cheap blood, guts and gory easy-way-out tactics. Sandberg instead tends to lead us to the edge of what most frightens us often simply with lighting choices, cinematography and use of a score by Benjamin Wallfisch that builds the creepiness factor exponentially. During the junket I had a chance to jokingly deride Sandberg for ruining one of my favorite songs, You Are My Sunshine, which hauntingly plays on the Victrola at several very frightening moments in ANNABELLE: CREATION.

Most notably, Sandberg seems able to coax from his actors performances that terrorize. For me, is was the humans and their choices and behaviors that most impacted me, not the demon-possessed doll Annabelle or the (effectively employed) visual effects by Shade VFX. Miranda Otto’s shadowy presence as a permanently-bedridden mom, awash in grief, broke my heart even though we rarely saw her full face or body. Anthony LaPaglia was downright menacing as the husband who opens his home to a Catholic nun and her ragtag group of orphans in an effort to help his wife heal. What this couple hopes will be their “penance” for choosing to invite evil into their homes turns out to be only a continuation of the cycle of pain. LaPaglia told me in our interview that he intentionally kept his distance from the young actors with whom he shared scenes when they were all off set. This seems to have been a wise choice, as he intimidated not only those young newly-arrived wards, but this moviegoer as well.

Lulu Wilson and Talitha Bateman lead a talented cast in ANNABELLE: CREATION. Image by Lisa Hendey

Hands down, for me the best part of ANNABELLE: CREATION were the performances turned in by two of its youngest cast members. Talitha Bateman’s Janice both won and broke my heart in her before and after possession scenes. One moment when Janice is “stuck” on an old staircase lift chair still gives me shivers when I remember it. Bateman’s co-star Lulu Wilson may initially seem an unlikely heroine, but this bright-eyed young professional rose in every way to the demands of her character. Off camera in our interviews, both Bateman and Wilson showed their conviction for empowering young girls with their work. I’d say both succeed with that goal in ANNABELLE: CREATION.

Sister Charlotte and her family of orphan girls take shelter in a new home, but find the welcome is not very friendly. Image credit Warner Bros. Used with permission.

One particular portrayal was both wonderful and a bit problematic for me. I fell in love with Stephanie Sigman’s Sister Charlotte, the glue that binds the “family” of girl orphans together as they move into their new home with the Mullins. Charlotte’s moment of interaction with the devil (having found its host body in Janice/Bateman) was a spiritual highpoint in the story for me. Sigman recounted this scene for me in our interview, reciting the Padre Nuestro as we sat together and fondly speaking of her grandmother as a source of spiritual inspiration. Sister Charlotte’s gut takes her immediately to prayer when she confronts evil, and that moment felt incredibly real to someone who would (and has, albeit in far less scary moments) do the same thing. But Sister Charlotte is also one of the characters that fell flat for me when her character could have been strengthened with a few tiny changes. Charlotte clearly has a backstory, but we don’t hear much of what led this gorgeous (inside and out) nun to take up the habit. There is a hint at something deeper (and possibly another “prequel” for the series) if you pay attention. But we don’t get as much of Sister’s story as I’d have liked. Additionally, for a film set in the mid-1940’s, ANNABELLE: CREATION gives us a nun’s depiction that feels too modern. Such care was taken to give us an authentically historic set (exteriors of the farmhouse were primarily shot on location at Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley) and even a 1937 Airstream bus. Why didn’t someone do better research on Sister’s habit or the way she would have related to a priest in those days?

This nit-picking aside, even two weeks later, I find myself anxious to not only watch ANNABELLE: CREATION again with my husband (and I’ll know when to cover my eyes this time), but also to check out the rest of the CONJURING series. I recommend this film for anyone interested in horror, but also for those drama fans courageous enough to try something new. There is a story worth exploring here, choices worth examining, and conversations worth having.